Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is billed as the greenest building in the world. My sister Joanne and I visited the day after Christmas for their Holiday Magic Wild Winter exhibit. There was a huge lighted lawn display outside the conservatory, but with the cold windy weather, we chose to stay inside.
The entrance was enticing with a Christmas display setting you in the mood for what was to come. Inside after getting your admission ticket, you will enter the glass dome room with the large glass sculpture by Dale Chihuly hanging high above. An assistant will ask you if you want a photo taken in front of the lighted Christmas tree which we accepted at no cost. Another Chihuly glass sculpture greets visitors with a brightly colored display called “Paint Brushes.”
Over the past 22 years, Phipps has been renovating its glass houses, and the Sunken Garden is now complete. The Monstera plant attracted a lot of attention. Apparently it has drawn much attention on social media. It also known as the “Swiss Cheese Plant” because of the holes in the leaves which allows it to catch more sunlight and the long roots help it to reach the forest floor. A caution is that the unripe fruit of this plant is toxic.
The Tropical Forest of Panama was nice steamy walk on this cold day. It was decorated with long streamer lights.
Some photos from inside the conservatory.
Parking is free while there is a valet parking option. It was very crowded the evening of our visit, but we did find a hard-to-get parking space near the entrance. The Christmas time entrance fee was considered a premium time. Admission was Adults $28, Children (age 2-18) $16, Seniors over 62 and Students over 18 $16. There is a café inside with drinks and snacks.
The conservatory is open Monday to Thursday and Saturday and Sunday from 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., and Friday until 10PM. It is closed on Thanksgiving Day and for the Christmas holiday. With a number of detours and construction, it took us a while to find our way around to the conservatory even with a GPS, but stopping some sidewalk strollers, we eventually found our way.
Address is One Schenley Park | Pittsburgh, PA 15213-3830 Phone: 412-622-6914.
Why this place is Green, according to Phipps
Human and environmental health are connected. At Phipps, we are dedicated to showing that sustainable practices are good for people, good for the planet and making the world a more beautiful place.
- All of the lights used in our Winter Flower Show and Winter Light Garden are energy-efficient LEDs
- Since 2005, all of the electricity used at Phipps is renewable, some of which is produced on site.
- Since 2010, all of the carbon dioxide emitted in order to heat our buildings has been offset.
- From 2005 – 2016, Phipps reduced carbon emissions from heating, cooling and powering our buildings by 56% per square foot, which is double the Paris Climate Agreement target of 26 – 28% by 2025
